Christophe Poyet’s venture into one of Paris’ most secret streets, the Avenue Frochot, began as nothing more than a joke. A private enclave hidden behind elegant wrought-iron gates, the short and steep lane is uniquely exclusive. Christophe, however, had been a regular visitor at his best friend’s apartment there.
‘I always said to him, if a property comes up for sale here, let me know.’ It’s the sort of light-hearted throwaway comment that may have been fielded many times already. Except, on this occasion, only a few weeks later, the apartment above Christophe’s friend’s was on the market and he soon became the owner.
Kitchen: The island, upholstered in latticed leather with a bronze-patina trim, makes an elegant centerpiece and is further emphasized by bespoke classical pendant lights. Sorbet table lamp and pendant lights, Humbert & Poyet. Ceramic bowl, Jean Marais. Italian bronze bust, Fiere di Parma.
While Christophe shares the home with his husband, Leo, he’s keen to emphasize that in business, he also comes as a pair – with Emil Humbert, the other half of Monaco-based interior firm, Humbert & Poyet. ‘We do every project together and even though this was my own apartment, it was no different,’ Christophe explains. The pair met in Monaco in 2007, and since then have forged a studio known for its elegant and curated interiors, both in hospitality and residential.
Avenue Frochot’s beguiling combination of secrecy and discreet glamour has been attracting creatives since 1826, when it was built on land that was formerly the private hunting grounds of King Louis XVI, and intended as a retreat for artists and intellectuals. ‘Many famous musicians and artists were living in this area and the apartment itself was the studio of Toulouse-Lautrec. Our idea was to recreate something of this past in our renovation,’ Christophe explains.
Entrance (left): Pale green doors bring an unexpected splash of color to this monochromatic scheme. Dynamic floor tiles anchor the space. Utopia bath sconces, Kelly Wearstler. French torsade plaster plinth, Sauce. Bronze bust by Gérard Lanvin, Les Puces de Paris Saint-Ouen. Sitting room (right): Artisans worked to recreate the architectural moldings that had been lost in former renovations. The bench is one of Christophe’s favorite pieces. Bench, Folke Bensow, sourced on 1stDibs.
Untouched since the 70s, the apartment had lost its original parquet and decorative moldings. ‘There was a lot of travertine and a blue carpet. It felt heavy,’ Christophe recalls. Taking the property from three bedrooms down to two immediately gave the impression of more space. ‘Before, there was a kitchen and dining room, which all felt closed, so we wanted to reopen everything. There are now two symmetrical arches – one that was already there and one that mimics the former,’ Christophe says.
While most of the walls were taken down, the team was careful to preserve and recreate details that had been lost in former renovations. ‘When we took down the ceiling, we discovered beautiful floral moldings – these inspired us to create the torsades – or twists – of the bathroom.’
Dining room: Foxed antique mirrored panels on an internal door create a sense of balance within this scheme. Dining table, Galerie Yvan Royer. Chairs by Claude Delor, Galerie Marcilhac. Italian ceiling light from the 1940s, sourced at auction in Italy. Console table, Studio Glustin. Drawing by Gérard Lanvin. Pair of Hungarian ceramic vases, Les Puces de Paris Saint-Ouen.
Christophe, in his work with Emil, cites many periods as inspiration although both men have a particular fondness for Italian design from the 1930s to the 50s. ‘This period is glamorous,’ Christophe elaborates. ‘Everything we do is referenced by the past. For our fabric collection with Pierre Frey and Nobilis, we spent hours in the archive. The Rebonds fabric we used on the headboard evokes the art deco spirit of the 1930s.’
Toulouse-Lautrec himself has a particular moment of homage. ‘I have a print of a drawing that he did when he was living in the apartment.’ Christophe and Emil also keep a close eye on upcoming artists and work alongside the White Cube gallery in London. ‘My favorite piece is the 17th-century Italian carved marble bas-relief in the kitchen. It was a birthday gift from someone very dear to me,’ Christophe says.
Sitting room: The curve of the sofa follows those of the rug and coffee table, tying in with the window arches. Custom sofa, Humbert & Poyet. Coffee table by Colo Studio, Galerie Mélissa Paul. Chairs, Maisonjaune Studio. Rug by Damien Langlois-Meurinne, Manufacture de Tapis de Bourgogne. Table lamp, Galerie May. Floor lamp, Chahan Design & Peter Lane.
Making a conscious departure from the darker materials formerly used in the apartment, Christophe opted for pale antique oak parquet. ‘The wood has irregularities and looks traditional. For the walls I kept it simple with an off-white. As with every project we do, we like the materials to speak more than the color we apply to the walls,’ Christophe explains.
Bathroom (left): This timeless scheme was inspired by the art deco period. Barton sconce lights, Ralph Lauren for Visual Comfort & Co. Shawford mirror, Vaughan. Pedestal sink, Burlington. Bedroom (right): Bespoke fabric panels create a soft and cosseting mood. Headboard in Rebonds Le Manach fabric by Humbert & Poyet for Pierre Frey. Table lamp, Paul Dupré-Lafon, 1940, Galerie Marcilhac.
Outside the French windows, the leaves are gently animated by the breeze but elsewhere is a noticeable stillness. ‘There is no noise at all. Beyond the gate is South Pigalle, which is a trendy part of the city with restaurants and bars. But as soon as you set foot back in Avenue Frochot, you just hear the sound of birdsong.’